No one has to convince the North Marin Water District that we're in a drought. Rainfall in Novato this past fiscal year was the third-driest on record — only 1976 and 1977 were drier.

Rainfall at the Kent Lake gauge totaled just under 28 inches on April 1, making this a "dry year" on Lagunitas Creek as defined by the state Water Resources Control Board, thereby requiring mandatory water use reduction for NMWD's West Marin customers in Point Reyes Station, Olema, Bear Valley, Inverness Park and Paradise Ranch Estates.

Lake storage levels for August are setting new lows. Stafford Lake holds only 1,550 acre-feet of water (36 percent of capacity). But 80 percent of Novato's water supply comes from the Russian River, and those reservoirs are low, too. Lake Mendocino has fallen below 38,000 acre-feet (34 percent) and was lower at this time only in 1977. Lake Sonoma still holds ample water at 161,000 acre-feet (66 percent), but is at its lowest level for this date since the late 1980s during its initial fill and testing period.

On April 1 the NMWD board declared water shortage emergencies in both the Novato and West Marin service areas. Water waste in the NMWD service areas has always been prohibited. A mandatory 25 percent reduction in West Marin water use went into effect on July 1.

On Aug. 5, a resolution to comply with recently enacted mandatory state emergency water conservation regulations was adopted. Outdoor irrigation for NMWD customers is now limited to hand-watering or drip irrigation. Customers are still permitted to use overhead sprinklers if their overall water use is reduced by 20 percent in Novato and 25 percent in West Marin, and water is applied only between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. the next day.

The state may yet enact further regulations affecting NMWD customers. We will keep you informed.

Novato customers have done a good job heeding NMWD's call for a 20 percent reduction in water use.

To date, water use in Novato is down 21 percent from February through July 2014 compared to last year. In West Marin, water use is down 7.5 percent in the comparable period, so more customer effort is needed.

NMWD customers are urged to continue using water efficiently during the drought, reduce outdoor irrigation and participate in NMWD water conservation programs.

Customers can view their individual water use history and water use reduction target (20 percent in Novato and 25 percent in West Marin) at www.nmwd.com. Select the "Your Account" tab and click on "Account Balance & Consumption."

Once the water use reduction target is determined, visit www.wateroff.org and access the "Water Savings Calculator" link under the "Tips" button to explore water-saving measures to reach the target.

In past years when supply was limited, NMWD customers have risen to the call for increased conservation and done their part to preserve precious water resources. NMWD customers can continue to do so this year.

Chris DeGabriele is general manager of the North Marin Water District.